Flexural and tensile properties of biobased rice husk-jute-soybean protein particleboards

Low flexural strength is one of the major drawbacks of most alternative raw materials particleboards. In this sense, we study the effect of incorporating a natural reinforcement, bidirectional jute fabric, on the final properties of particleboard based on rice husk and soy protein-based adhesive. The addition of two jute fabric layers improved significantly the mechanical properties of the particleboards (flexure and tensile) exceeding the ANSI standard established values for medium density particleboards for indoor use, without affecting the water absorption and thickness swelling. Tensile strength values of reinforced boards were also numerically predicted according the rule of mixtures.